Bankruptcy Judge To Examine Competing Bids For Crystal Cathedral

SANTA ANA (CBS) — A federal bankruptcy judge is scheduled to look at competing bids for the Crystal Cathedral Monday.

Chapman University is offering $51.5 million for the church, while the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange would pay $55.4 million.

Church leaders say the recession of 2008 took a toll on the church, which filed for bankruptcy in 2010.

The church most recently came under fire after Pastor Jim Kok sent an e-mail to congregants asking for meals for Rev. Robert Schuller and his wife, who is recovering from a bout with pneumonia.

The e-mail, sent last week, said Arvella Schuller was "very weak" and that the couple "would appreciate meals over the next 3-4 weeks."

In the note, Kok asked for food to be taken to the Tower Lobby of the church, where it would be picked up and delivered to the couple in a limo.

Some parishioners are upset the couple is using a limousine service when the debt-saddled mega-church owes creditors $50 million.

Schuller founded the Crystal Cathedral in 1955.